John Addis

The Stockholm Syndrome is a psychological process whereby a hostage identifies with their kidnapper, to the point of defending the kidnapper's reasons for their own capture.

For the past eight years ASIC appears to have been suffering from a similar condition, with only the public revelation of wrongdoing, rather than wrongdoing itself, provoking action.

The Senate hearing into ASIC's performance shows the regulator emerging from its captive state to see the true state of financial planning at Commonwealth Bank.

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The daily revelations of big bank malpractice and regulatory inaction is a real-life horror show.

In her work covering ASIC's investigation into Financial Wisdom and Commonwealth Financial Planning, both owned by CBA, Fairfax's Adele Ferguson reported on a 'mystery shopper' exercise conducted by ASIC in 2007.

Covering 51 randomly selected planners, the advice of 38 of them was rated as 'critical'.

According to an ASIC letter sent to the Tim Gunning, CBA's former general manager of wealth management, in February 2008, the reason for a 'critical' rating included 'fraud and dishonest conduct', 'deliberate or reckless failure to disclose fees, costs, charges, relationship and warnings' and 'no evidence of appropriate advice'.

Surely the bank would be keen to rid themselves of these 38 planners, especially as two similar surveys at CBA's Financial Wisdom's branch in Cairns and Commonwealth Financial Planning's Bankstown office in 2006 revealed similar concerns?

Err, no. It got rid of just 12.

The annexures in ASIC's letter to Gunning, detailing cases where 'the product recommended was more expensive than the client's existing product' and 'the recommended product would cost the client $6,280 more than if he had remained in the existing product', give a hint as to why.

ASIC put two and two together, stating that there might be a 'correlation' between the amount of business that representatives wrote and CBA keeping them on.

Eight months after the Gunning letter, whistleblower Jeff Morris warned ASIC about dodgy planner Don Nguyen and the bank cover-up of his activities. After substantial prodding, the corporate cop stumbled to its feet and dusted down its excuses.

But for the Senate inquiry, Morris and a handful of Fairfax reporters led by Ferguson, in one of the more obvious examples of regulatory capture, ASIC may well have been happy to let the matter slip.

And yet against all evidence, before the inquiry began ASIC head Greg Medcraft was tirelessly defending the indefensible, claiming that 'recent media reports have tried to cast doubt on ASIC's good work and smear our staff and culture'.

Medcraft should have held fire on the messenger. The Senate investigation reveals ASIC doing a far better job of casting doubt on the quality of its work than even its most aggressive and cynical critics.

Fortunately, Medcraft appears to be recognising the nature of the relationship his organisation has with its kidnapper, although in a whiny 'jilted lover' kind of way.

'In a Senate estimates hearing on Wednesday, ASIC chairman Greg Medcraft expressed his strong regret that the regulator had been misled by the bank over the compensation, which involved $51 million being paid to victims on an unequal basis.

He said the bank had failed to be upfront with ASIC in advising of its decision to change the process. "I think it is fair to say that the level of trust and confidence was misplaced by us".'

How's that saying go? No shit Sherlock? So if ASIC can't trust CBA, why should we?

Let's put these facts together. In 2006, an ASIC survey established concerns with CBA planners. Between February 2007 and 2008, it randomly surveyed another 51 planners, finding 75 per cent of them to be poor in some form or other.

CBA ditches 12 planners but keeps 26 of them – who just happen to be good sales performers – on the payroll. ASIC does nothing.

Whistleblower Jeff Morris rocks up after the regulator fails to respond to his initial contact in 2008. It takes a further 16 months for ASIC to act, which doesn't include telling Morris to claim whistleblower status so he had protection against retaliation and discrimination (although he was told to 'get out with what you have left').

Then CBA appears to have based its compensation on something other than the sums its clients lost and the pain they endured. It misleads ASIC on a number of issues, including the number of claims paid.

Meanwhile, ASIC throws the book at environmental activist Jonathan Moylan, who released a clearly fake ASX announcement. Moylan faces up to 10 years in jail and a fine of up to $765,000.

CBA's dodgy planners continue on their merry way.

Because of his experience, Morris recently urged potential whistleblowers to 'think twice' before calling ASIC.

Then, in the face of budget cuts, Medcraft urges more whistleblowers to come forward.

This is movie material, surely, but only as satire or horror – the truth is simply too implausible.

Year by year the evidence piled up on ASIC's desk but it took a Senate hearing for the regulator to realise its dealings with the CBA had to change.

Senator Williams summed it up:

'I'm sick of hearing about people getting their nest eggs robbed. I expect the industry to be cleaned up and I want a regulator that is feared, not a wimpy group of bureaucrats.'

Good luck with that, Senator.

Due to budget cutbacks, Medcraft recently warned that the corporate plod would no longer be 'on every corner' and that investors must take more responsibility for themselves.

Greg, mate, we knew that years ago.

People seeking financial planning advice are swimming with the sharks while the lifeguard props up the bar.

Medcraft for once is right: you're on your own folks.

John Addis is a Director of Intelligent Investor Share Advisor (AFSL 282288). To unlock all of Share Advisor's stock research and buy recommendations, take out a 15-day free membership.